In a major development, the <keyword id="64630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Commercial-Pilots-Association" source="Orion">Indian Commercial Pilots Association</keyword> (ICPA) and the <keyword id="64606" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Pilots-Guild" source="Orion">Indian Pilots Guild</keyword> (IPG) of <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> have rejected the new pay structure proposed by the airline. The primary bone of contention is the reduction in flying allowance from 70 hours to 40 hours every month under the new structure, which the pilots believe is unfair. The two unions have warned of possible 'industrial unrest' if the management goes ahead with the new terms without their consent. While Air India has stated that it will "continue to engage with the remainder of its staff", the airline has taken a tough stance on the issue, saying that there are "no recognised unions in Air India". This is the first wage revision offered by the Tata group-owned Air India since its takeover last year, and it will affect all 3,000 pilots across its four airlines - Air India, <keyword id="6378232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India-Express" source="Orion">Air India Express</keyword>, <keyword id="1625599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Asia-India" source="Orion">Air Asia India</keyword>, and <keyword id="2467342" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vistara" source="Orion">Vistara</keyword>. The pilots' unions have instructed their members to reject the new employment conditions and wage structure offered by the management. An agreement has been put in place for the employees to sign by April 25, but the two unions have stated that they will contest the terms and conditions, with their pilots refusing to sign the revised employment and compensation terms. The two unions have warned of potential industrial unrest if the company takes any coercive or victimising action against their members. In a joint statement, the unions stated that the company reiterated that "all previous understandings, representations and agreements of whatever nature that have been entered into with us are null &amp; void and that the company further has the right to change any terms and conditions". "The term cost to the company for an assumed flying of 70 hrs is deliberately misleading and creates an impression of a generous compensation and accompanying benefits package. The actual guaranteed money being offered is only for 40 hrs. Effectively, any time a pilot is on leave or is unavailable due to recurrent training requirements or document/licence renewals, not to mention any sick leave, there is an automatic pay cut involved," the statement read. "The so-called rationalisations of allowances is not in line with any industry practices as projected by HR. Further, blanket consent is sought for any leave or insurance policy that the company may come up with &amp; which is subject to amendment or outright withdrawal. "Suffice it to say that this is not an all-inclusive list but merely a selection of some of the most outlandish and labour-hostile provisions that we have come across to date. This is dishonourable and how the management is trying to force it down the employees' throats is outright unethical," it added. "Nor has the blatant attack on our rights as workmen to bargain collectively or seek legal redressal for any injustice or victimisation gone unnoticed. Where is the company requirement all of a sudden to forcibly promote almost all the permanent workmen of the union to the so-called Senior Commander management cadre? It is clear from all this that there is a concerted effort to gut the unions and isolate pilots into individual boxes where they can be exploited and victimised at will by the HR department," the statement said. Meanwhile, Air India's spokesperson has defended the new compensation structure, which includes parity among different groups, recognition of managerial and supervisory roles for experienced pilots, and individual contracts sent to pilots and cabin crew for necessary paperwork. "The managerial and supervisory role played by the experienced pilots is also being recognised in the form of designating them as Senior Commander as also offering them a special monthly allowance. The contracts reflecting these enhancements were individually sent to the pilots and cabin crew for necessary paperwork," said the spokesperson. The spokesperson also claimed that a large number of pilots and cabin crew have already accepted the new contracts, and the salary improvements and advancement opportunities they enable. "The airline will continue to engage with the remainder of its staff through this process as currently there is no recognised union in Air India," the spokesperson said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/rils-q4-to-be-driven-by-sustained-momentum-in-retail-business-o2c-to-see-modest-growth/articleshow/99629278.cms">RIL’s Q4 to be driven by sustained momentum in retail business, O2C to see modest growth</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/condom-maker-mankind-pharmas-4326-crore-ipo-to-open-next-week-on-april-25/articleshow/99614288.cms">Condom maker Mankind Pharma’s ₹4,326 crore IPO to open next week on April 25</a>

Air India pilots' unions reject proposed pay structure, warn of industrial unrest

In what is seen as a major standdown, the pilots' union of <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> has withdrawn its opposition to the new wage pact and employment agreement. In a joint letter issued on Thursday, the Indian Pilots' Guild (<keyword id="179256" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ipg" source="Orion">IPG</keyword>) and Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) withdrew their stand and told their members that they are free to sign new wage contracts offered by the new <keyword id="6355725" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata-group" source="Orion">Tata group</keyword> management of Air India. "As dedicated <keyword id="4746568" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="air-indians" source="Orion">Air Indians</keyword>, we believe it is crucial to express our readiness to settle the dispute at hand and find an amicable resolution for the benefit of both parties," the IPG and ICPA said in a joint letter to their members. The letter further read, "Over the past year, our attempts to reach a resolution have been hindered by a lack of cooperation from the management. Their unwillingness to address our concerns and apathetic attitude has resulted in a prolonged stalemate and escalating tensions." "Upon the assurances given in the online 'Townhall Meeting for Pilots' and in the interest of the aspirations of Air India, The <keyword id="8555" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata" source="Orion">Tata</keyword> Group and our passengers, the Joint Directive No.01 of 2023, Sub: Unilateral Changes in Policies stands withdrawn," the letter titled as 'Withdrawn of Joint Directive Np01 of 2023', added. The announcement came after a joint meeting held on Thursday, wherein the unions' members were told that they are free to sign the new wage contract. Last month, the Tata Group-owned airline announced a new salary structure for pilots and cabin crew but the staff was disappointed with the revisions. Their main grouse was about promoting captains with more than four years of experience in management. In a communication to all employees including pilots and crew members in April this year, Air India management had said that they announced the revision of their employment contracts and revised compensation for flying staff. "I am reaching directly to our flying staff through this platform as currently there is no recognized union at Air India. This is within the framework of law," said Air India Chief Human Resource Officer Suresh Tripathi, had said in a video message. The airline had said that the contract sent is a compilation of applicable policies and existing rules. Wherever there are differences, their changes are introduced to have a performance and merit-based culture as would be the ask of any world-class and professionally run airline. In the last one year, they have been hearing all the concerns of their flying community through various forums and constant communication, the Air India management said. "Guaranteed flying allowance has moved upwards from existing 20 hours to fixed 40 hours. With our ambitious growth and large aircraft order, we as an organisation are confident to provide you more and more opportunities for flying. The fact remains that at 70 hours of flying, income across the board has increased. We are a productivity-oriented organisation, and anyone who is ready to contribute will grow and prosper," the airline had said. "Our Trainers who would be investing more time in training as we ramp up, have been given a significant increase in pay in the form of both fixed and variable. There is more than 40 per cent increase in the allowance for trainers," it added. Air India said flying allowance rates are one of the highest in the Indian industry, with even higher amounts beyond 40 hours. There used to be a difference in flying rates in the same pilot rank which has been done away with to promote fairness. They have introduced additional compensation during training of command upgrade and conversion training which was not existing earlier. There was not any service reward existing to recognise the contribution of experienced staff. A fixed amount has been added to salaries. "These are all changes we have introduced for the better and to become market competitive, which was a key ask. We have also introduced best-in-class employee insurance and other benefits which were not existing earlier at Air India to support the welfare of our flying staff," the airline's management had said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-hindenburg-row-mauritian-minister-rejects-shell-company-allegations/articleshow/100164083.cms">Adani-Hindenburg row: Mauritian minister rejects shell company allegations</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/ipl-2023-scores-over-1300-crore-video-views-on-jiocinema-in-the-first-five-weeks/articleshow/100155165.cms">IPL 2023 scores over 1,300 crore video views on JioCinema in the first five weeks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/investment/news/investment-supertrends-2023-ai-to-digitalisation-and-green-energy/articleshow/100126382.cms">AI to digitalisation and green energy: Supertrends defining investment for today and the future</a>

Air India pilots' union withdraws opposition to new wage agreement

<ul><li>The letter dated July 6 from Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association( ICPA) and <keyword id="964626" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Pilots-Guild">Indian Pilots’ Guild</keyword> (IPG) suggested steps that Air India should take in the times of coronavirus.</li><li>The letter said the 10% pay cut across the board treats “unequal people equally.” </li><li>The pilot body also suggested that it is time for the national carrier to look at its employment policies and cut back on the excessive employee strength in the backend departments. </li></ul><keyword id="9003469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India-pilot-Association">Air India pilot association</keyword> tells chairman Rajiv Bansal that the national carrier should take cues from private airlines in cost-cutting measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter from the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association( ICPA) and Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG) listed various steps that Air India should take at this time when the aviation sector and the company itself is a facing major cash crunch due to the economic slowdown. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76806028" title="Top Air India officials to retire, squabble for posts begins" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> “Air India should also be guided by how other players in the aviation sector are battling the adversities of the coronavirus pandemic. We understand that a leading private carrier has an employee strength of 250 in finance and 130 in HR, handling a fleet of 255 aircrafts. This may be contrasted with Air India, which has more than 1600 employees in HR and Finance for a mere 125 aircrafts,” said the letter. <div type="twitter" handle="shukla_tarun" handlename="Tarun Shukla" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1274006662542528512/NZLGI9vJ_normal.jpg" favoritecount="43" retweetcount="6" status="Air India pilot association tells chairman Rajiv Bansal, AI should follow pvt airlines in cost-cutting. There are… https://t.co/IBkPoos0Cs" createdat="1594022270000" id="1280048296191393792"></div> Salary cuts should be steeper with rising pay grades It further added that the 10% pay cut across the board treats “unequal people equally.” The class IV employees are the ones that are severely impacted by the pay cut than the ones at the top of the ladder, the letter explained. “While prima facie appearing to be fair, this scheme distributes the financial burden across the various categories of employees in an extremely discriminatory manner amounting to treating unequal people equally,” said the pilots in the letter. It also suggested that Class IV workers should be kept away from the allowance cut. The pilot body also recommended that it is time for the national carrier to look at its employment policies and cut back on the excessive employee strength in the backend departments. “Since Air India is in financial distress on account of the pandemic, the employee strength should be brought at par with other market players through common-sense measures like compulsory leave without pay till such time normal operations resume,” it said. “This is nowhere in line with market standards, and since operations have been scaled back, their workload has reduced drastically. It is prudent for Air India and the MoCA to take cognisance of this excess manpower and trim costs as our aircraft stand under-utilised,” it added. “If any meaningful cost-saving has to be effected, the financial burden must be fairly distributed between all employees based on their job functions and emoluments,” the letter said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/these-are-the-top-10-stock-to-buy-in-july-according-to-axis-securities/slidelist/76808620.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">These are the top 10 stock to buy in July, according to Axis Securities</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/a-bankers-checklist-for-msmes-who-want-a-loan/articleshow/76809382.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">A banker's checklist for MSMEs who want a loan</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/icmr-clarifies-that-august-15-was-not-a-deadline-for-covid-19-vaccine-after-experts-called-out-how-impossible-it-was/articleshow/76806783.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">ICMR ‘clarifies’ that August 15 was not a deadline for COVID-19 vaccine after experts called out how impossible it was</a>

Air India pilots are angry over pay cuts⁠— want salaries to be reduced in a graded manner

<keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> has given more time to pilots to accept the revised compensation structure, which has been opposed by two pilot unions, according to a source. The decision to provide more time to pilots who are yet to sign the new contracts also comes days after Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> organised a town hall meeting with many pilots to discuss their concerns. The source said the airline has given time till the end of this week for signing the new contracts apparently due to requests from people who had not earlier accepted the revised compensation structure. There was no comment from Air India on extending the deadline. Initially, the deadline for accepting the new contracts had ended on April 30. The move to extend the deadline also comes at a time when crisis-hit Go First has stopped flying and its future remains uncertain, a scenario that has also resulted in many of the budget carrier's pilots seeking job opportunities elsewhere. The source said that nearly 800 pilots who had not accepted the new compensation structure had attended the town hall on May 4 that was addressed by Air India's Chief of Operations Captain <keyword id="466654" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rajwinder-singh" source="Orion">Rajwinder Singh</keyword> Sandhu, who is also a pilot. On May 4, a pilot, who had attended the town hall, said Sandhu had assured that all issues can be sorted out and that no clause in the revised contracts would be misused. Issues related to seniority, career progression and roster rules, among others, were discussed. Air India has around 1,800 pilots and a significant chunk of them are yet to sign the revised contracts, according to another source. On April 28, Air India chief <keyword id="5863894" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="campbell-wilson" source="Orion">Campbell Wilson</keyword> said that a majority of pilots have accepted the new compensation package offered last week. Campbell had said the airline is making investments in workplace technology and training as well as in new and improved employee benefits. "On the latter front, I'm pleased to report that 90 per cent of cabin crew and a majority of pilots have received and accepted the new compensation package offered last week, which will be back-dated to 1 April 2023," he had said. On April 17, Air India rolled out a revamped compensation structure for its pilots and cabin crew. However, the same was rejected by two pilot unions -- Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) -- on grounds that the airline, in alleged violation of labour practices, did not consult them before finalising the new contracts. <keyword id="6355725" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata-group" source="Orion">Tata Group</keyword> took control of loss-making Air India from the government in January last year. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/fitch-affirms-indias-sovereign-rating-on-robust-growth-outlook-flags-weak-finances/articleshow/100093312.cms">Fitch affirms India's sovereign rating on robust growth outlook, flags weak finances</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/iphone-2022-revenue-higher-than-gdp-of-160-countries/slidelist/100077106.cms">9 interesting facts about iPhone maker Apple, ‘the best business in Berkshire’s portfolio’</a>

Air India gives more time to pilots to accept revised compensation structure

<keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> will hire more than 1,000 pilots, including captains and trainers, as the <keyword id="8555" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata" source="Orion">Tata</keyword> Group-owned airline expands its fleet and network. The airline, which currently has more than 1,800 pilots, has placed orders for 470 aircraft with <keyword id="6357957" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Boeing" source="Orion">Boeing</keyword> and <keyword id="6356166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbus" source="Orion">Airbus</keyword>, including for wide-body planes. The latest Airbus firm order comprises 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s. The carrier, which was taken over by the Tata Group in January last year, is hiring more than 1,000 pilots, according to an advertisement on Thursday. "We are offering multiple opportunities and accelerated growth across our A320, B777, B787 and B737 fleet for captains and first officers, as well as trainers," it said, adding that more than 500 aircraft are joining its fleet. Meanwhile, pilots of Air India have raised concerns about the airline's latest decision to revamp their salary structure and service conditions. On April 17, Air India rolled out a revamped compensation structure for its pilots and cabin crew, which has since been rejected by the two pilot unions - Indian Commercial Pilots Association (<keyword id="12415576" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICPA" source="Orion">ICPA</keyword>) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) - on grounds that the airline, in alleged violation of labour practices, did not consult them before finalising the new contracts. Tata Group has four airlines - Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect and Vistara, which is a joint venture with Singapore Airlines. The group is in the process of merging Air India Express and AIX Connect as well as Vistara with Air India. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/pepsi-onboards-samantha-ruth-prabhu-as-its-brand-ambassador/articleshow/99808470.cms">Pepsi onboards Samantha Ruth Prabhu as its brand ambassador</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/lt-technology-services-shares-rally-nearly-7-post-q4-earnings/articleshow/99807496.cms">L&amp;T Technology Services shares rally nearly 7% post Q4 earnings</a>

Air India to hire more than 1,000 pilots including captains and trainers

The DGCA has started a <keyword id="9791572" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="special-safety-audit">special safety audit</keyword> of all Indian airlines, around two weeks after the plane crash in Kerala's Kozhikode in which 18 people were killed, a senior official of the aviation regulator said on Thursday. "It will be a complete FOQA (<keyword id="7878913" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flight-operations-quality-assurance">Flight Operations Quality Assurance</keyword>) audit," he said. The FOQA is the process of obtaining and analysing all kinds of data from flights to improve the safety and efficiency of future flight operations. "All Indian airlines will undergo the special safety audit that has begun. In the first phase, we are auditing SpiceJet and Air India," the DGCA official said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already initiated the special safety audit of all airports in India that receive heavy rain during the monsoon season, another official said. The announcement regarding the safety audit of such airports was done by the DGCA four days after the Kozhikode plane crash. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) manages more than 100 airports in the country, including the one in Kozhikode. However, major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are managed by private companies. On August 7, a B737NG aircraft of Air India Express with 190 people on board overshot the runway and crashed at the Kozhikode airport amid heavy rain, killing 18 people, including the pilots. Air India Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of national carrier Air India. The two leading pilot unions of Air India on August 13 had sought a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss matters related to working conditions and flight safety. "Our pilots are constantly facing the challenges of COVID-19, monsoon weather, ill-designed flight duty time limitations (FDTL), several extensions and dispensations given by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)," stated the August 13 letter written to Puri by the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG). The two unions said they were writing on behalf of pilots of Air India and its subsidiaries Air India Express and Alliance Air. <keyword id="9285595" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-aircraft-accident-investigation-board">The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board</keyword> (AAIB) said on August 13 that it has formed a five-member panel headed by Captain S S Chahar, a former DGCA-designated examiner for pilots of B737NG aircraft, to inquire into the circumstances of Kozhikode plane crash. In a statement, the board had said, "The investigator-in-charge will complete its inquiry and submit the report to AAIB, India, preferably within five months from the date of the issue of this order." SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/eicher-motors-registers-first-ever-net-loss-of-55-crores-in-at-least-a-decade/articleshow/77526012.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink"> Eicher Motors registers first-ever net loss of ₹55 crore in at least a decade</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/club-factory-india-sellers-send-legal-notice-to-the-e-commerce-platform-over-non-payment-of-dues/articleshow/77650828.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Club Factory’s India sellers send legal notice to the e-commerce platform over non-payment of dues</a>

Civil aviation regulator DGCA to begin special safety audit of all Indian airlines after Kozhikode crash

<ul><li><keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> has approved a leave without pay (<keyword id="9580222" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="lwp">LWP</keyword>) scheme for employees. The LWP will start at six months and can be extendable up to five years. </li><li>The scheme authorises chairman Rajiv Bansal to issue a leave without pay letter to employees on behalf and in the name of the company. </li><li>The letter said regional directors will constitute a committee that would recommend a list of employees for compulsory LWP by August 15 after “obtaining necessary approval of CMD.” </li></ul>Debt-ridden airline Air India has approved a leave without pay (LWP) scheme for employees ranging from six months or two years and extendable up to five years. According to the circular dated July 14, the scheme authorises chairman Rajiv Bansal to issue a leave without pay letter to employees on behalf and in the name of the company. The decision will be based on employee suitability, efficiency, competence and health. “Accordingly, departmental heads at headquarters and regional directors of the region are required to assess each individual on the above mentioned factors and identify the cases where option of compulsory LWP can be exercised. Names (to be approved by) CMD,” the letter reads. Earlier in March, Air India <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/coronavirus-air-india-to-cut-salaries-of-employees-for-3-months-815859.html">announced a 10% pay cut</a> for all its employees. The letter said regional directors will constitute a committee comprised of General Manager (Personnel), General Manager (Finance) and concerned Departmental Head and would recommend a list of employees for compulsory LWP by August 15 after “obtaining necessary approval of CMD.” However, the employees who do opt for the scheme will not be allowed to take up jobs anywhere else. “Employees taking up employment after availing LWP under the scheme or at a later date, in other airlines and allied services or in any organisation with which the company has dealing, should seek prior permission from the company, before taking up employment in such an organisation. The services of an employee will be terminated in accordance with service regulations/standing orders/ applicable rules if the employee concerned fails to make such prior declaration/ seek permission,” according to the order. Even during the LWP. benefits like medical/passage benefits will continue to be made available for employees. This came after the Air India pilot association told chairman Rajiv Bansal in a letter earlier that the national carrier should take cues from private airlines in cost-cutting measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association( ICPA) and Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG) listed various steps that Air India should take at this time when the aviation sector and the company itself is facing a major cash crunch due to the economic slowdown. “Air India should also be guided by how other players in the aviation sector are battling the adversities of the coronavirus pandemic. We understand that a leading private carrier has an employee strength of 250 in finance and 130 in HR, handling a fleet of 255 aircrafts. This may be contrasted with Air India, which has more than 1600 employees in HR and Finance for a mere 125 aircrafts,” <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/air-india-pilots-are-angry-over-pay-cuts-want-salaries-to-be-reduced-in-a-graded-manner/articleshow/76813410.cms#:~:text=a%20graded%20manner-,Air%20India%20pilots%20are%20angry%20over%20pay%20cuts%E2%81%A0%E2%80%94%20want,reduced%20in%20a%20graded%20manner&amp;text=The%20letter%20said%20the%2010,treats%20%E2%80%9Cunequal%20people%20equally.%E2%80%9D">the letter from ICPA and IPG said.</a> Air India has over 13,000 employees with a monthly<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-to-send-some-staffers-for-compulsory-leave-without-pay-up-to-5-years/articleshow/76977324.cms"> wage bill </a>of around ₹230 crore. The carrier has also been delaying payments to pilots and its crew members, due to serious financial difficulties brought by the coronavirus induced travel ban. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/heres-how-indigo-and-spicejet-are-dealing-with-the-crisis-differently/articleshow/76937325.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Here’s how IndiGo and SpiceJet are dealing with the crisis differently</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/air-india-pilots-are-angry-over-pay-cuts-want-salaries-to-be-reduced-in-a-graded-manner/articleshow/76813410.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Air India pilots are angry over pay cuts⁠— want salaries to be reduced in a graded manner</a>

Air India is sending employees on a 5-year leave without pay to cut down costs

<ul><li>In the advertisement, <keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> Express has invited applications from Indian citizens (wherever domiciled) for the posts on a fixed term contract basis.</li><li>The positions in the medical services department include Chief Medical Officer and Senior Assistant, Medical.The positions open for hiring in the Finance Department include Deputy Chief of Finance, Manager-Finance and Deputy Manager-Finance.</li><li>This will add fuel to the fire as employees across the board from pilots to service engineers are protesting pay cuts and Leave Without Pay in Air India. The company is also on the block for privatization.</li></ul> Adding insult to injury of employees as they protest what they call "a draconian" Leave Without Pay (LWP) policy going up to five years, Air India is on a recruitment drive to hire new people. Air India Express has put out an advertisement to hire in the finance and medical services department. The general principle is that if a company is laying off people and sending them on long leave without pay, then it does not hire fresh personnel. In the advertisement, Air India Express has invited applications from Indian citizens (wherever domiciled) for the posts on a fixed term contract basis. The positions in the medical services department include Chief Medical Officer and Senior Assistant, Medical. The positions open for hiring in the Finance Department include Deputy Chief of Finance, Manager-Finance and Deputy Manager-Finance. Interested and eligible candidates have been asked to submit their applications within 15 days of this advertisement. This will add fuel to the fire as employees across the board from pilots to service engineers are protesting pay cuts and Leave Without Pay in Air India. The company is also on the block for privatization. Air India has justified the cut in allowances of existing employees by citing the precarious financial position due to Covid 19. Air India said in a tweet: "There has been no reduction in the Basic pay, DA and HRA of any category of employees. The rationalization of allowances had to be implemented on account of the difficult financial condition of the airline that were exacerbated by COVID-19." The pilots have questioned this claim and said that this is a devious plan to ensure a minuscule pay cut for senior AI officials. Basic Pay, HRA and DA constitutes 80 per cent of Gross Pay for senior AI officials. "By 'rationalizing' the allowances only, pilots and cabin crew are hit worst as it forms 80 per cent of our gross pay. Doesn't the difficult financial condition of the airline warrant a contribution from the management too based on their actual cost to company or just flying crew alone?" the pilots said in the letter. Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have accused Air India of spreading "deliberate misinformation on social media" and questioned the "duplicitous" tweets by Air India calling them "misleading". "Air India has recently posted some duplicitous tweets that are misleading the general public", the pilots associations said. "Recent decisions of Air India Board regarding rationalization of staff cost were reviewed in a meeting at @MoCA_goi this evening. The meeting reiterated that unlike other carriers which have laid off large number of their employees, no employee of Air India will be laid off," said the Air India tweet. To this the pilots responded in a letter to Aruna Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Air India, "A lay off means settlement of arrears, gratuity, PF and retrenchment compensation by law. Management is trying to dodge this by introducing Compulsory Leave without Pay for up to 5 years to send employees on exile." SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/mahindra-and-mahindra-finance-managing-director-gets-candid-about-the-rights-issue/articleshow/77212386.cms">EXCLUSIVE: M&amp;M Financial Managing Director gets candid about the rights issue, the bleak prospects for this year and why there should be no more loan moratorium</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/india-stock-brokers-hit-by-sebi-direct-market-access/articleshow/77198064.cms">India's broking industry just got the shock of its life – SEBI may soon allow investors to trade directly on the exchanges</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/these-10-indian-colleges-have-produced-indias-most-funded-startup-owners/slidelist/77140792.cms">These 10 Indian colleges have produced India’s most funded startup owners</a>

Air India plans to hire new people after sending employees on leave without pay for upto five years

Alleging blatant discrimination by <keyword id="2573" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword>'s Personnel and Finance Departments, the pilots have told the national carrier's management that if such behaviour continues unchecked, the Director, Personnel will be responsible for the consequences. In a letter to Air India Chairman and Managing Director Rajiv Bansal, the pilots' associations, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association and the Indian Pilots Guild, have alleged that the management is discriminating against the pilots. "We request you to kindly direct the concerned departments to clear backlogged files as well as outstanding dues for all pilots. We have cooperated unconditionally above and beyond the call of duty to ensure smooth flight operations. This blatant discrimination, among other grievances, has severely hampered our morale and faith in these departments. If such behaviour continues unchecked, the Director, Personnel will be responsible for the consequences to follow," the pilots said. "We would like to bring to your notice the lackadaisical attitude of the Personnel and Finance Departments in ensuring <keyword id="136144" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Timely-action">timely action</keyword> and payment when it comes to pilots," the letter said. "When it comes to doling out promotions en masse for themselves or other support departments, not even a pandemic or national lockdown can dent their enthusiasm. When even retrospective deductions are made on our wages with immediate effect by way of prompt circulars, why do the same people drag their feet when it comes to clearing our rightful dues or honouring our service conditions?" the pilots asked. Citing examples of this "lackadaisical attitude", the pilots said that the Special Pay increment, as per the bilateral wage agreement between the management and the ICPA of January 1, 2016, mentions a yearly increment as per years of service in the grade. "No increment has been made in special pay since 2019. This routine exercise is never given priority, as pilots are the prime beneficiaries. Further, despite clear directions from the Hon. <keyword id="6354977" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword>, the 2016 wage has been illegally and unilaterally imposed upon pilots of the IPG who already have a separate bilateral wage agreement. The TMU (Temporary Medically Unfit) Insurance compensation for pilots is never paid on time. Pilots are made to run after their files from one department to the next till there are no more excuses to delay processing. At times, the delay is in years," they said. The pilots alleged that the Captain or Commander Grade revision is never carried out on time, despite being a routine annual exercise. Then, <keyword id="9693120" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-personnel-department">the Personnel Department</keyword>'s draft Establishment orders are replete with mistakes/omissions which has to be corrected through repeated representations, they said. After all this unnecessary delay, when the order is eventually released, the financial benefits accrue from the date of the Establishment order and not from the actual date of promotion, they said. "Why is the cost of the inefficiency of the Personnel Department being paid by pilots?" they asked. The PMU (Permanently Medical Unfit) compensation to any affected pilot is again never paid on time. As mentioned above, the affected pilot is made to run from pillar to post for his/her rightful compensation. "Please note that these pilots have lost their source of livelihood as they are permanently grounded. They are being let down by the company when they need it the most," the pilots said. They also said that the retirement benefits of recent retirees are yet to be cleared. The treatment meted out to these loyal long-serving employees of Air India is unethical, as per the pilots. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/one-time-loan-restructuring-dilemma-rbi-wont-commit-and-india-inc-wont-stop-asking-for-it/articleshow/77328145.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">One-time loan restructuring dilemma - RBI won’t commit, and India Inc won’t stop asking for it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/the-10-richest-people-in-the-middle-east-ranked/slidelist/77304823.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The 10 richest people in the Middle East, ranked</a>

Air India pilots allege blatant discrimination by management

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/46784548.cms" /> 
When most frequent flyers tend to ignore the flight safety demonstrations onboard, too much stress on the cabin crew and pilots make those instructions actually essential while boarding a long haul flight. According to a news report by the Economic Times, the pilot who informs you how many metres above ground level you are cruising at, may well be sinking into depression. 
 
The officials at the Ministry of Civil Aviation are now internally debating whether pilots and cabin crew need to be put through regular psychological tests, a ministry official told ET. However, no such checks are mandated as of now. 
 
This comes in the wake of the recent Germwings plane crash into the Alps, where the co-pilot had suffered a bout of depression and made a suicidal move killing 130 passengers. This incident has raised concerns about the mental health of pilots in India too. 
 
As per the ET report, a cocktail of erratic schedules, inadequate sleep, pressure to maintain timelines, irate passengers and being employed by an industry that’s in a flux has put pilots, air traffic controllers and key staffs under severe duress. 
 "Many in the aviation sector hide their stress since they fear for their job. This needs to be addressed to ensure skies are safe," a senior commander with <keyword id="6358200" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Jet-Airways">Jet Airways</keyword> told the ET on condition of anonymity. 
 
Besides pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and ATC officials are battling psycho-somatic disorders, alcohol and cannabis addiction, insomnia and anxiety, sources in the aviation and medical fraternity said. 
 
Those who are married within the industry are deprived of marital bliss because they often go home only to see their spouses flying out. Requesting anonymity, an air hostess who works with Jet Airways said, "In January, I saw my husband after 20 days and we often meet at airports. Our fleet is expanding and there is shortage of cabin crew which adds to the pressure." She logs in 15 hours, for six days a week. 
 
The 27-year-old air hostess further added, "There is tremendous pressure. A counselor is provided once a month, but who has the time to visit?" Sadly, she suffers from insomnia like many in her team. The financial daily tried to reach out to Jet Airways via an e-mail, but hasn’t yet secured any response. However, <keyword id="6354706" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Indigo">IndiGo</keyword> Airlines sounds a breather. "Under our employee assistance programme, employees have access to the best of doctors and counselors," said IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh in an email response to the ET. "The objective behind this initiative is not to target anyone but provide assistance and arrange for facilities required by the person concerned," he added. 
This pressure is not just faced by the cockpit crews, even the air traffic controller on ground, who instructs a flight to attain height or descent, has to work under same kind of situation. 
"A controller cannot settle for 99.9% accuracy; one has to be 100% accurate. We work for six hours a day and get an off after four days of work. Currently, our company (Airports Authority of India) does not provide any facility or conduct any sessions to help employees recover from stress," DS Raghavan, a senior air traffic controller and former president of Guild told the ET. 
 
(Image: India Times)

No more ‘suicidal pilots’! India working on Pilots’ ‘stress factor’

Mumbai, Mar 16 () Air India pilots sought an urgent financial assistance from the government on Monday for the disinvestment-bound national carrier amid the coronavirus pandemic. With global travel bans due to the pandemic, many airlines across the world are staring at massive losses and fear going bust. Aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Aviation has already warned that most airlines across the world would go bankrupt if the governments do not take a coordinated action. In a joint letter to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the two Air India pilots' unions -- Indian Aviation Guild and the Indian Commercial Pilots Association -- said the COVID-19 crisis was wrecking havoc across the globe. During this perilous time, Air India employees have gone above and beyond to get the people of the nation back from affected countries worldwide, the unions said. "Despite cases of infections on our aircraft and even quarantine for our crew, the employees continue to do their duty at considerable personal risk," according to the unions. "We urge you to provide urgent financial aid to Air India so that we, the airlines employees, can keep on doing our jobs and (continue) serving the nation," the letter stated. According to a recent report by Acuite ratings, the domestic air traffic would be impacted negatively by 50 per cent, which would in turn also impact the passenger load factor by 50-60 per cent till June on a year-on-year basis. Stating that the government had not infused any funds into Air India in the current financial year, the letter said: "This makes it almost impossible for Air India to meet it's monthly financial obligations." "Our salary is getting delayed for more than an year and even as of date, even January wages have not been paid in full," they said in the letter. "At present, essentially all flights Air India is operating are rescue missions at the cost of our own safety with escalating risk of contracting the virus," they said. "This repeated withholding of wages is straining us financially." IASHMB

COVID-19: Air India pilots seek urgent financial aid

<ul><li>The National Company Law Tribunal admitted plea State Bank of India's (SBI) plea against Jet Airways. </li><li>SBI and 26 lenders filed a case against Jet as per Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). </li><li>With a debt of over ₹85 billion, Jet was declared bankrupt by a court in The Netherlands. </li></ul>The bankruptcy proceedings of Jet Airways have started as National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the plea of its largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) on Thursday. A two-judge bench which heard the case of SBI and 26 other lenders, also directed an interim resolution professional to resolve the matter within three months. In anticipation of a possible resolution to the airline’s crisis which was grounded in April 17, the stock of the company rallied today. It went up by 120% at one point, hitting the upper circuit. As the markets closed, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jet-airways-stock-springs-a-surprise-gains-by-66/articleshow/69872150.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">it ended 93% higher</a> than the closing price a day before. The Bombay Stock Exchange sought a clarification from the company on the price increase. Earlier this week, the lenders of the bank including State Bank of India, met to find a possible solution to stop it from going bankrupt. But they could find <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jet-airways-is-headed-to-bankruptcy-court-as-bankers-fail-to-find-a-buyer/articleshow/69826885.cms">no viable option</a>, leading it to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Jet Airways has been in debt of as much as ₹85 billion, due to making bets on expansion as competition in the aviation sector heightened. The increased costs of running an airline like aviation turbine fuel (ATF) also went up, deepening the crisis at the debt-ridden company. After the company went belly up, two of its creditors, Shaman Wheels and Gagar Enterprises moved approached the insolvency court, to recover their dues. In the meanwhile, the airline also owes salaries to its pilots and other staff and The National Aviators Guild has sent a notice demanding the same. The guild also threatened to join insolvency proceedings if they fail to pay up. The airline however has been declared bankrupt in Netherlands by a court, where it owes money to two of its service providers. Rocco Mulder has been appointed as the administrator in the bankruptcy proceedings in the case told<a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/nclt-to-hear-grounded-jet-airways-insolvency-plea-on-wednesday-119061801141_1.html"> Business Standard</a> that “the opening of insolvency proceedings in the Netherlands has universal effect”. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jet-airways-stock-springs-a-surprise-gains-by-66/articleshow/69872150.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Jet Airways stock nearly doubled in a day as the rumour mill in the market goes berserk</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/markets/india-latest-market-udpate-research-shows-top-losers-mid-and-small-cap-stocks-have-lost-2-4-trillion-in-one-year/articleshow/69868683.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Watching the Sensex can be misleading-- India's mid and small cap stocks have lost ₹2.4 trillion of investor wealth this year alone</a>

It’s official-- Jet Airways is bankrupt, declares a Indian court on the same day the share price jumped 93%

Mumbai, Mar 18 () The government's plan to privatise flag carrier Air India will be further delayed and it will have to infuse up to Rs 3,000 crore to ensure continuity of operations till the sale process gets over, the Centre for Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said on Wednesday. The government has already extended the date of submission for expression of interest to April 30 from March 17 due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. In January, the government restarted the divestment process of the carrier and invited bids for selling its 100 per cent stake in both Air India and its low-cost international budget arm Air India Express besides entire 50 per cent holding in ground-handling joint venture AI-SATS. "The privatisation process for Air India will be further delayed. The EoI submission date has already been pushed back by six weeks," CAPA said in its latest report -- Impact of COVID-19 on Indian Aviation -- released on Wednesday. Due to this delay, the government will need to commit "significant" and "immediate" interim funding of USD300-400 million for the national carrier, to ensure that it is able to operate at least in its current condition until such time as the sale transaction is concluded. Air India pilot unions - Indian Pilots Guild and Indian Commercial Pilots Association- on Monday wrote to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, seeking immediate financial assistance to the airline in view of the situation arising out of the coronvirus outbreak. CAPA, in its report also stated that the government must also have a fall-back plan to regroup and continue to operate the airline for the medium-term if the privatisation process is unable to proceed. After its unsuccessful bid to sell Air India in 2018, the government this time decided to offload its entire stake. In 2018, the government had offered to sell its 76 per cent stake in the airline. IAS MRMR

Govt needs to infuse Rs 3K cr in Air India as sale to get delayed: CAPA

Mumbai, Dec 20 () Several employee unions of Air India on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding waiver of the airline's loans and run it by a professional management.
 Against the backdrop of the government working out the modalities for Air India disinvestment, seven employee groupings have also said the carrier can be turned around.
 "Air India has been reporting operational profit for as long as three years. Servicing the loans is a major challenge as the annual outgo is an upwards of Rs 4,000 crore," they said in a letter.
 The letter has been signed by representatives of seven unions -- Indian Commercial Pilots' Association, Indian Pilots' Guild, Air Corporations Employees' Union, All India Cabin Crew Association, Air India Employees' Union, Indian Aircraft Technicians' Association and All India Aircraft Engineers' Association.
 The unions have urged the government to consider waiving the credits and have the airline run by a professional management.
 "We have immense faith, that taking these actions will indeed find Air India in the league of profit making carriers, once again.
 "... Air India can be turned around and run successfully in the hands of professionals if the government intends for it to," the letter said.
 Further, the unions said it is not true that the employees are to be blamed for the present situation.
 "Majority of Air India's employees are highly competent and hardworking even to this day.
 "Our national carrier has always been a promising one -- minus the unfortunate decision makers of past governments -- and can still run effectively with the presence of a strong leader and new policies," they said.
 According to them, the need of the hour is for Air India to be a board managed company run by professional managers like at ITC and L&amp;T. IAS RAM MR
MR

AI employee unions seek waiver of loans

<ul><li>Two new cases in Karnataka took the total number of infected patients to 10 in the state. </li><li>Nagpur police have imposed Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)to ban public gatherings. </li><li>The Aligarh Muslim University urged students to stay away from Friday prayers if they have flu-like symptoms. </li><li>The government on Monday prohibited the entry of passengers from European countries and Turkey as a precautionary measure from March 18 to 31.</li></ul> The number of <keyword id="8674550" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coronavirus-cases-in-India">coronavirus cases in India</keyword> currently stands at 140, including 13 people cured of the disease and three who lost their lives, according to the latest data available on the ministry of health and family welfare <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/">website</a>. The number of cases in Maharashtra saw a steep rise in the past one week after a family of 5 escaped the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> tests at the airport. The Maharashtra government reported 39 active cases in the state, making it the worst-hit state in India.Kerala stood second place with 27 infected people. The Nagpur Police has imposed Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure till March 31 to ban public gatherings to check the spread of the virus. Gurgaon woman tests positive, first confirmed case of coronavirus in Haryana A 29-year-old woman in Haryana's Gurgaon district tested positive for coronavirus, a health official said on Tuesday(March 17). The employee of a Gurgaon-based company and has travelled to Malaysia and Indonesia before testing positive. The samples of her tests were taken to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology, which confirmed her to be positive of Covid-19 Noida reports 2 new cases of coronavirus Two people from Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh have tested positive with coronavirus. While one patient is identified as a resident of Sector 100 who returned from France. The second patient is a resident of Hyde Park in Sector 78. Both are now in isolation. 64-year old passes away in Mumbai taking state death toll to 2 A 64-year-old coronavirus patient today (March 17) passed away at Mumbai's Kasturba Hospital, taking the state’s death toll to 2. In fact, both the people who passed away are from Mumbai. Overall, three people have died of the disease across the country. Karnataka reports two new cases The Karnataka health department on Tuesday reported two new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of infected patients to 10 in the state. A 20-year-old woman, who travelled from the UK has tested positive and a 60-year-old man, who came in contact with the 76-year-old deceased patient from Kalaburgi, also tested positive. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
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 India bans entry of Europeans and Turkey from March 18 to 31 The government on Monday prohibited the entry of passengers from European countries and Turkey as a precautionary measure from March 18 to 31. The government also announced to expand the minimum quarantine for people travelling to India from UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Addressing a <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/TravelAdvisory16thMarch.pdf">press conference</a>, minister of health joint secretary Lav Agarwal said, “As a precautionary measure, we are expanding compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from or transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.” Guidelines for cremating bodies of coronavirus infected deads In order to stop the infection from spreading further, the Central government is framing guidelines for handling bodies of those who die of coronavirus. It came after the controversy over the cremation of a Delhi patient who died of the virus last week. The <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/govt-framing-guidelines-for-handling-virus-victims-bodies/articleshow/74663235.cms">experts</a> at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are reviewing the guidelines that were framed during the 2018 Kerala Nipah virus outbreak and might adopt them for coronavirus as well. Air India pilots seek urgent financial aid in awake of covid-19 The two Air India pilots’ unions, Indian Aviation Guild and the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, have used this opportunity to highlight their plight in a letter to civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri The letter said, “during this time, Air India employees have gone above and beyond to get our countrymen back from Covid-19-affected countries worldwide.” It went on to add, “On one hand the cabinet has openly praised the recent efforts of Air Indians and the national carrier, but on the other, the government has not infused any funds. Our fundamental right to wages for work already done is being flouted time and again.” AMU urges students to sit at a distance during Friday prayers The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has issued a notice urging students and all other employees of the varsity to stay away from Friday prayers on the campus mosques if they have any symptoms of flu. According to the notice, people have been asked to sit at a distance from each other during prayers and also skip one row in between. It also said that those with symptoms of flu should offer prayers at their residences. The AMU has around 20 mosques in the campus and the 20,000 students and teachers who live on the campus, offer prayers at these mosques. Taj Mahal shuts entry amid coronavirus scare The Taj Mahal will be closed for tourists from Tuesday onwards amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Officials said that the decision was communicated to them on Monday night by the Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi. The Taj Mahal’s closure will be a major jolt to the domestic tourism industry, particularly the hospitality sector since the shutdown would lead to more cancellation of bookings in Agra. McDonald’s, Domino’s introducing ‘contactless’ delivery in India After Zomato and Swiggy, McDonald’s and Domino’s Pizza on Monday introduced ‘contactless’ delivery option where the delivery boys will ensure social distancing. Westlife Development, which owns McDonald’s restaurants in western and southern India, said that it has launched a ‘contactless’ delivery option in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. “This service will allow customers to receive their order without coming in contact with the delivery staff. This feature has been introduced as an additional precautionary measure to ensure the safety of both the customers and the delivery staff,” said Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd (JFL), which runs Domino’s Pizza in the country. Punjab government shuts zoos amid <keyword id="8595403" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coronavirus-outbreak">coronavirus outbreak</keyword> The Punjab government on Monday ordered the closure of all zoos in the state till March 31 as a preventive measure in view of the coronavirus outbreak, an official statement said. There is a large zoo at Chhatbir near Chandigarh. Besides, there are four other small zoos at Patiala, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Neelon near Samrala in Punjab, it said. According to the statement, nearly 4,000 people visit these zoos daily. The number swells to 10,000 on weekends and more during holidays in summer and winter seasons. All 12 zoos, National Library shut in Bengal till March 31 The West Bengal Government has closed all 12 zoos in the state, including the famous Alipore Zoological Gardens from Tuesday till March 31 as a means of combating the deadly <keyword id="1559124" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-infection">coronavirus infection</keyword>, a senior minister said. The National Library here is also being shut till March 31, an official said. Minister for Forests Rajib Banerjee told mediapersons that the decision was taken in view of an advisory from the Central Zoo Authority of India which the state government was adhering to totally. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/topic/coronavirus">coronavirus: Latest News, Articles on coronavirus | Business Insider India</a>

You Searched For "Indian Pilots Guild" and got 15 results

Air India pilots' unions reject proposed pay structure, warn of industrial unrest

IANS

Air India pilots' union withdraws opposition to new wage agreement

ANI

Air India pilots are angry over pay cuts⁠— want salaries to be reduced in a graded manner

Navdeep Yadav

Air India gives more time to pilots to accept revised compensation structure

PTI

Air India to hire more than 1,000 pilots including captains and trainers

PTI

Civil aviation regulator DGCA to begin special safety audit of all Indian airlines after Kozhikode crash

PTI

Air India is sending employees on a 5-year leave without pay to cut down costs

Navdeep Yadav

Air India plans to hire new people after sending employees on leave without pay for upto five years

IANS

Air India pilots allege blatant discrimination by management

IANS

No more ‘suicidal pilots’! India working on Pilots’ ‘stress factor’

COVID-19: Air India pilots seek urgent financial aid

PTI

It’s official-- Jet Airways is bankrupt, declares a Indian court on the same day the share price jumped 93%

Katya Naidu

Govt needs to infuse Rs 3K cr in Air India as sale to get delayed: CAPA

PTI

AI employee unions seek waiver of loans

PTI

Coronavirus: Number of cases in India stands at 140; 13 cured and three dead

Navdeep Yadav